https://www.rt.com/russia/553274-bucha- ... llegations
4 Apr, 2022 13:35
Russia and Ukraine trade accusations over Bucha civilian deaths (TIMELINE)
After footage of dead civilians in the Ukrainian city of Bucha emerged, the West immediately pointed the finger at Moscow
Ukraine has accused Russian troops of committing war crimes in the city of Bucha. However, Moscow insists that the allegations are baseless and has implied that the Ukrainian government is manipulating the media to smear Russia.
Bucha is a small city of around 35,000 residents, located some 10km northwest of the Ukrainian capital Kiev. From the early days of the ongoing Russian military attack, it Moscow's troops have been present in the area, but last week they were ordered to evacuate.
Days after the withdrawal, Kiev accused the Russian military of committing numerous atrocities in Bucha. Moscow has denied the allegations and unsuccessfully tried to call a UN Security Council meeting to discuss what it claims to be an attempt to frame it forces.
Russia’s foreign intelligence service earlier warned that Kiev was working to downplay footage of what appeared to be Ukrainian soldiers torturing Russian prisoners of war. The Russian military had warned that provocations could be staged by the Ukrainian side in order to manipulate public, and political, opinion in the West.
Here is a timeline of how the events unfolded.
March 27
Footage of alleged torture of Russian POWs appears
Footage of what appeared to be Ukrainian soldiers shooting Russian prisoners of war in the legs was published on social media. The video sparked widespread condemnation, including from some Western public figures.
The perpetrators were apparently members of Ukraine's ultra-nationalist forces. The presence of these neo-Nazi units was cited by Moscow as one of the reasons justifying the military attack it launched against the country in late February.
March 29
Talks in Istanbul
The Russian military announced a partial drawdown after Turkey-hosted Russian-Ukrainian peace talks.
Moscow stated that the progress made during the talks created the conditions for a scale-down of hostilities near Kiev, saying it was meant as a concession to the Ukrainian government, but many commenters were skeptical about the motives. Some claimed that it was a reflection of reduced military ambitions, due to tenacious Ukrainian resistance.
During the talks, Russian officials demand an investigation into the footage of alleged torture of POWs, indicating there would be no mercy for the perpetrators, should they be captured. Ukrainian officials pledged to get to the bottom of it, stating that such behavior wouldn't be tolerated from their soldiers.
However, no actions appears to have been taken.
March 29
Russia warns of staged videos
The Russian military claimed that the Ukrainian government ordered its ultra-nationalist forces to produce staged videos purportedly showing evidence of crimes committed by Russian troops against civilians.
The footage was supposed to incriminate Russian soldiers in “mass killings, robbery, damage to social infrastructure,” General Mikhail Mizintsev claimed.
March 31
Mayor of Bucha declares city liberated
In a video address, Mayor Anatoly Fedoruk declared his city liberated "from Russian orcs [sic]" and called it a major victory for Ukrainian defenders.
All Russian troops withdrew from the city on the previous day, both Moscow and media covering the conflict reported. The mayor made no mention of any purported Russian war crimes in his celebratory speech.
April 1
Kiev publicity damage control
Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) claimed it had intercepted communications between the governments of Ukraine and Britain discussing the publicity fallout from the alleged torture video.
The SVR stated that Western governments were "aware of the violations of international humanitarian law by Kiev" and were willing to help perpetrators remain unaccountable.
The report didn't mention Bucha or any attempts to fabricate evidence of war crimes.
April 1
Zelensky says Azov "are what they are"
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky downplayed the dark side of Ukrainian nationalists of the Azov Battalion in an interview with Fox News.
Broadcaster Bret Baier asked Zelensky about the Azov's widely covered neo-Nazi affiliations and allegagtions of atrocities mounted against them.
"They are what they are," Zelensky remarked in response, before explaining how the formerly volunteer battalion contributed to the defense of Ukraine against Russia and was subsequently integrated into the national military.
April 2
Ukrainian commandos deployed to Bucha
The Ukrainian national police said it had deployed its ‘Safari’ commando regiment to Bucha to “clear the territory of saboteurs and Russian troop collaborators,” as well as to “inspect the sites of war crimes committed by Russia.”
Evidence of purported Russian atrocities in Bucha began to pour out from the city on the same day. Images from the city showed streets littered with bodies in civilian clothes, some with their hands bound behind their backs.
Kiev claimed Russian soldiers summarily executed civilians before withdrawing from the city. The scale of destruction in Bucha indicated that Russia attempted to subject Ukrainian people to genocide, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba claimed. On April 3, the Prosecutor General's office reported recovering 410 bodies of civilians from the city.
Western officials condemned Russia, taking the Ukrainian allegations at face value.
April 2
Contravening evidence
One clip published and later deleted by Ukrainian military commander Sergey Korotkih showed Ukrainian troops in Bucha discussing engagement rules. Korotkih, formerly a citizen of Belarus, is an open neo-Nazi who went to Ukraine back in 2014 to fight in the ranks of the notorious Azov Battalion. In Russia, Korotkih is wanted on multiple murder charges.
One of the fighters can be heard asking if it was OK to shoot at “guys not wearing blue armbands” identifying Ukrainian soldiers. The response was an affirmative “you bet”.
Some of the civilians apparently killed in Bucha were wearing white armbands. Russian troops had reportedly asked all civilians to wear them to identify themselves as non-combatants.
April 3
Russia denies Ukrainian claims
The Russian defense ministry denied Kiev's claims, citing the three days between the troops' withdrawal and the emergence of the evidence as a suspicious sign.
Moscow said the accusations were "a provocation" and possibly evidence of crimes committed by Ukrainian troops after they entered the city. The statement pointed to the apparently fresh state of some of the bodies in the photos.
Russia then called an emergency session of the UN Security Council to discuss Bucha and what it claims to be an attempt to smear it.
Moscow claimed the attempt to meet on Monday was blocked by the UK, which is also a permanent member of the body. The British mission said the session will take place on Tuesday instead.
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Russia and Ukraine trade accusations over Bucha civilian deaths
Re: Russia and Ukraine trade accusations over Bucha civilian deaths
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/zelens ... es-victory
Published April 1, 2022 7:20pm EDT
Zelenskyy to Fox News: Ukraine 'will not accept any outcome' besides 'victory'
Zelenskyy said that giving up territory is 'out of discussion'
Special Report’s Bret Baier interviewed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday evening, touching on a wide variety of topics, including what a victory looks like for Ukraine and what Putin is hoping to achieve.
Baier asked the Ukrainian leader at the start of the interview how he believes the "war will end" prompting an explanation from Zelenskyy that only "victory" will be acceptable to his country.
"A victory of truth means a victory for Ukraine and Ukrainians," Zelenskyy said through an interpreter. "The question is when it will end. That is a deep question. It’s a painful question. Besides victory, the Ukrainian people will not accept any outcome."
Baier then asked what Zelenskyy is "willing to agree to" in order to secure a peace deal and specifically brought up the possibility of ceding Ukrainian territory to Russia.
"We do not trade our territory," Zelenskyy responded. "The question of territorial integrity and sovereignty is out of discussion."
ZELENSKYY DEMOTES 2 UKRAINIAN GENERALS, CALLS THEM 'TRAITORS'
Zelenskyy said that his country is looking for commitments from "leading nations" that Ukraine’s security will be protected with a treaty if it is to agree to a deescalation with Russia and reiterated his belief that Ukraine would be a beneficial addition to NATO.
"It’s hard for us to talk about NATO because NATO doesn't want to admit us," Zelenskyy said. "I think it's a mistake because if we join NATO, we make NATO much stronger. We are not a weak state. We are not proposing to make us stronger at the expense of NATO…We are an addition, we are the locomotive. I think we are one of the important components of the European continent."
The Ukrainian president added that he has spoken with President Biden and told him he would like to see the United States included in a security agreement that would provide long-term support for Ukraine to address the possibility Russia would to invade again in the future. Zelenskyy said that the United States is "considering this proposition."
When asked what Putin wants to gain in this conflict, Zelenskyy said that Putin wants whatever the West will give to him and that "appetites usually grow."
"The more you give them the more their appetite grows," Zelenskyy said, adding that Putin will continue his aggression in Europe beyond Ukraine and will get what he wants "unless he is stopped" now.
Zelenskyy told Baier that "everybody must know that if we are pressed in a corner" the Ukrainian military "will answer with full strength."
Baier and Zelenskyy also touched on the accusations from Russian officials that Ukraine attacked an oil depot inside Russia using helicopters.
"Did you launch an attack on a Russian military depot on Russian soil using helicopters?" Baier asked Zelenskyy.
"I’m sorry I do not discuss any of my orders as commander in chief," Zelenskyy responded. "The leader of this state. There are things which I only share with military armed forces of Ukraine and when they talk with me."
"What matters for us is that you and the whole world should know that we are a country at war," Zelenskyy continued. "We were attacked. That is what matters. That is the biggest tragedy. And today, to hear those reports about something happening someplace something exploded while there is war in Ukraine - honestly it’s not professional to talk about it. They occupied our territory. They attacked us. This war going on for 8 years so whatever happens in a certain situation it’s hard for me to comment."
Baier asked Zelenskyy whether he believes that President Biden "wants" Ukraine to win or if his administration harbors "fear" of what Putin’s reaction will be if he loses.
"I have faith that President Biden, like any true American citizen, believes and wants the truth to win," Zelenskyy said. "And the truth is on the side of Ukraine. I believe they want the values that make our nations closer to win."
Zelenskyy added that his military does not want bullet-proof vests and special helmets but would prefer heavy weaponry.
"Just give us missiles, give us airplanes, you cannot give us F–18 or F-19 or whatever you have, give us old Soviet planes," Zelenskyy said. "That’s all. Give them into my hands. Give me something to defend my county with."
At the close of the interview, Baier asked Zelenskyy about comparisons some have made between him and Winston Churchill.
"God chooses what we can endure, and I think this was not by chance," Zelenskyy said. "I know we will stand through this."
Published April 1, 2022 7:20pm EDT
Zelenskyy to Fox News: Ukraine 'will not accept any outcome' besides 'victory'
Zelenskyy said that giving up territory is 'out of discussion'
Special Report’s Bret Baier interviewed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday evening, touching on a wide variety of topics, including what a victory looks like for Ukraine and what Putin is hoping to achieve.
Baier asked the Ukrainian leader at the start of the interview how he believes the "war will end" prompting an explanation from Zelenskyy that only "victory" will be acceptable to his country.
"A victory of truth means a victory for Ukraine and Ukrainians," Zelenskyy said through an interpreter. "The question is when it will end. That is a deep question. It’s a painful question. Besides victory, the Ukrainian people will not accept any outcome."
Baier then asked what Zelenskyy is "willing to agree to" in order to secure a peace deal and specifically brought up the possibility of ceding Ukrainian territory to Russia.
"We do not trade our territory," Zelenskyy responded. "The question of territorial integrity and sovereignty is out of discussion."
ZELENSKYY DEMOTES 2 UKRAINIAN GENERALS, CALLS THEM 'TRAITORS'
Zelenskyy said that his country is looking for commitments from "leading nations" that Ukraine’s security will be protected with a treaty if it is to agree to a deescalation with Russia and reiterated his belief that Ukraine would be a beneficial addition to NATO.
"It’s hard for us to talk about NATO because NATO doesn't want to admit us," Zelenskyy said. "I think it's a mistake because if we join NATO, we make NATO much stronger. We are not a weak state. We are not proposing to make us stronger at the expense of NATO…We are an addition, we are the locomotive. I think we are one of the important components of the European continent."
The Ukrainian president added that he has spoken with President Biden and told him he would like to see the United States included in a security agreement that would provide long-term support for Ukraine to address the possibility Russia would to invade again in the future. Zelenskyy said that the United States is "considering this proposition."
When asked what Putin wants to gain in this conflict, Zelenskyy said that Putin wants whatever the West will give to him and that "appetites usually grow."
"The more you give them the more their appetite grows," Zelenskyy said, adding that Putin will continue his aggression in Europe beyond Ukraine and will get what he wants "unless he is stopped" now.
Zelenskyy told Baier that "everybody must know that if we are pressed in a corner" the Ukrainian military "will answer with full strength."
Baier and Zelenskyy also touched on the accusations from Russian officials that Ukraine attacked an oil depot inside Russia using helicopters.
"Did you launch an attack on a Russian military depot on Russian soil using helicopters?" Baier asked Zelenskyy.
"I’m sorry I do not discuss any of my orders as commander in chief," Zelenskyy responded. "The leader of this state. There are things which I only share with military armed forces of Ukraine and when they talk with me."
"What matters for us is that you and the whole world should know that we are a country at war," Zelenskyy continued. "We were attacked. That is what matters. That is the biggest tragedy. And today, to hear those reports about something happening someplace something exploded while there is war in Ukraine - honestly it’s not professional to talk about it. They occupied our territory. They attacked us. This war going on for 8 years so whatever happens in a certain situation it’s hard for me to comment."
Baier asked Zelenskyy whether he believes that President Biden "wants" Ukraine to win or if his administration harbors "fear" of what Putin’s reaction will be if he loses.
"I have faith that President Biden, like any true American citizen, believes and wants the truth to win," Zelenskyy said. "And the truth is on the side of Ukraine. I believe they want the values that make our nations closer to win."
Zelenskyy added that his military does not want bullet-proof vests and special helmets but would prefer heavy weaponry.
"Just give us missiles, give us airplanes, you cannot give us F–18 or F-19 or whatever you have, give us old Soviet planes," Zelenskyy said. "That’s all. Give them into my hands. Give me something to defend my county with."
At the close of the interview, Baier asked Zelenskyy about comparisons some have made between him and Winston Churchill.
"God chooses what we can endure, and I think this was not by chance," Zelenskyy said. "I know we will stand through this."
Re: Russia and Ukraine trade accusations over Bucha civilian deaths
https://www.rt.com/russia/553114-ukrain ... spections/
1 Apr, 2022 13:21
Russia accuses Ukraine of seeking British help to whitewash war crimes
Ukraine does not want foreign aid groups to inspect Russian POWs after the leak of a torture video, Russian intelligence claims
Ukraine has asked Britain, and other Western nations, to help after it came under pressure due to the alleged the mistreatment of prisoners of war, Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) said on Friday. Moscow believes Ukraine is in damage control mode after footage of the alleged torture of Russian soldiers in Ukrainian custody became public.
The Ukrainian government has informed Britain that “it has no intention to abide by the Geneva conventions when treating Russian prisoners of war,” the SVR claimed. In particular, Kiev informed London that it was not going to “offer enough food and medical assistance” to Russian captives at a time “when many Ukrainians lack them,” the statement said.
The SVR claimed it was part of a larger Ukrainian effort to deal with the negative publicity it faces over the mistreatment of prisoners. Human rights groups such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have criticized Kiev for its policy of exposing Russian soldiers to public appearances, in some cases while being humiliated.
This week, footage of the apparent torture of Russian POWs by Ukrainian troops sparked condemnation worldwide. The graphic video was initially published on social media last Sunday. An aide to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pledged to investigate the apparent crimes, stating that as a “European army,” the Ukrainian military does not harass prisoners.
According to the SVR, Kiev has secretly launched an effort to prevent leaks of similarly incriminating videos in the future.
The Russian agency also claimed that the Ukrainian government asked its Western counterparts to help limit the exposure of Russian POWs to foreign inspections.
“We have specific intelligence of Ukrainian authorities convincing Western sponsors to influence the International Committee of the Red Cross and various international humanitarian NGOs so that they stopped attempts to gain access to Russian prisoners of war,” the statement said.
Britain, the SVR claimed, advised Kiev to organize a tour for international organizations to showcase its ability to treat prisoners well. This would help counter the bad publicity from the torture video, London allegedly suggested.
This intelligence indicates that Western governments are aware of war crimes being committed by Ukrainian forces and are willing to help Kiev cover them up, de facto becoming accomplices, the agency alleged.
1 Apr, 2022 13:21
Russia accuses Ukraine of seeking British help to whitewash war crimes
Ukraine does not want foreign aid groups to inspect Russian POWs after the leak of a torture video, Russian intelligence claims
Ukraine has asked Britain, and other Western nations, to help after it came under pressure due to the alleged the mistreatment of prisoners of war, Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) said on Friday. Moscow believes Ukraine is in damage control mode after footage of the alleged torture of Russian soldiers in Ukrainian custody became public.
The Ukrainian government has informed Britain that “it has no intention to abide by the Geneva conventions when treating Russian prisoners of war,” the SVR claimed. In particular, Kiev informed London that it was not going to “offer enough food and medical assistance” to Russian captives at a time “when many Ukrainians lack them,” the statement said.
The SVR claimed it was part of a larger Ukrainian effort to deal with the negative publicity it faces over the mistreatment of prisoners. Human rights groups such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have criticized Kiev for its policy of exposing Russian soldiers to public appearances, in some cases while being humiliated.
This week, footage of the apparent torture of Russian POWs by Ukrainian troops sparked condemnation worldwide. The graphic video was initially published on social media last Sunday. An aide to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pledged to investigate the apparent crimes, stating that as a “European army,” the Ukrainian military does not harass prisoners.
According to the SVR, Kiev has secretly launched an effort to prevent leaks of similarly incriminating videos in the future.
The Russian agency also claimed that the Ukrainian government asked its Western counterparts to help limit the exposure of Russian POWs to foreign inspections.
“We have specific intelligence of Ukrainian authorities convincing Western sponsors to influence the International Committee of the Red Cross and various international humanitarian NGOs so that they stopped attempts to gain access to Russian prisoners of war,” the statement said.
Britain, the SVR claimed, advised Kiev to organize a tour for international organizations to showcase its ability to treat prisoners well. This would help counter the bad publicity from the torture video, London allegedly suggested.
This intelligence indicates that Western governments are aware of war crimes being committed by Ukrainian forces and are willing to help Kiev cover them up, de facto becoming accomplices, the agency alleged.
Re: Russia and Ukraine trade accusations over Bucha civilian deaths
http://www.svr.gov.ru/smi/2022/04/zapad ... -kieva.htm
https://www-svr-gov-ru.translate.goog/s ... r_pto=wapp
page translation:
The press bureau of the Foreign Intelligence Service reports that the Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation is receiving reliable information that after the publication of shocking videos of torture of captured Russian soldiers in Ukraine, the nationalist Kiev regime is making efforts to prevent further disclosure of such facts.
There are specific reports that the Ukrainian authorities are urging Western backers to encourage the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and various international humanitarian NGOs to abandon attempts to gain access to Russian prisoners of war. In particular, the leadership of Ukraine informed the British Foreign Office that it did not intend to comply with the Geneva Convention on the Treatment of Prisoners of War. Captured Russian servicemen, many of whom are injured, are not supposed to be provided with adequate food and emergency medical care under the pretext that "many Ukrainians are now deprived of this."
In response, the British Foreign Office recommended that the Ukrainians organize visits by the ICRC to several "exemplary" Russians. It was emphasized that this would make it possible to "whitewash" the image of the Ukrainian authorities in the eyes of the world community and partially mitigate the negative consequences of publicizing the torture of captured servicemen. Western countries, in turn, are ready to assist in organizing a trip to the place of "exemplary" detention of prisoners of war by a group of "trustworthy" representatives of the ICRC.
Such manipulations around Russian prisoners of war convincingly testify that the authorities of many Western states, which consider themselves world champions of human rights, are not only aware of Kiev's gross violations of international humanitarian law, but are also trying to help him avoid responsibility. This makes them accomplices in the inhuman crimes of Ukrainian neo-Nazis and requires an appropriate legal assessment.
Source: Press Bureau of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Russia
https://www-svr-gov-ru.translate.goog/s ... r_pto=wapp
page translation:
The press bureau of the Foreign Intelligence Service reports that the Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation is receiving reliable information that after the publication of shocking videos of torture of captured Russian soldiers in Ukraine, the nationalist Kiev regime is making efforts to prevent further disclosure of such facts.
There are specific reports that the Ukrainian authorities are urging Western backers to encourage the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and various international humanitarian NGOs to abandon attempts to gain access to Russian prisoners of war. In particular, the leadership of Ukraine informed the British Foreign Office that it did not intend to comply with the Geneva Convention on the Treatment of Prisoners of War. Captured Russian servicemen, many of whom are injured, are not supposed to be provided with adequate food and emergency medical care under the pretext that "many Ukrainians are now deprived of this."
In response, the British Foreign Office recommended that the Ukrainians organize visits by the ICRC to several "exemplary" Russians. It was emphasized that this would make it possible to "whitewash" the image of the Ukrainian authorities in the eyes of the world community and partially mitigate the negative consequences of publicizing the torture of captured servicemen. Western countries, in turn, are ready to assist in organizing a trip to the place of "exemplary" detention of prisoners of war by a group of "trustworthy" representatives of the ICRC.
Such manipulations around Russian prisoners of war convincingly testify that the authorities of many Western states, which consider themselves world champions of human rights, are not only aware of Kiev's gross violations of international humanitarian law, but are also trying to help him avoid responsibility. This makes them accomplices in the inhuman crimes of Ukrainian neo-Nazis and requires an appropriate legal assessment.
Source: Press Bureau of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Russia